Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-03-11
BEECHER IN HIS CHURCH
TWENTY THOUSAND PEOPLE
TAKE "A FAREWELL LOOK.

places the Conventions Il! ack-All
the Memb-rs OF tho Family Dressed
in Bright Colors-The Contents of tho
VIII Not Made Public.
NEW YORK, March, 10--In spite of
rain the streets in the vicinity of Rev.
ii. W. Beecher's house were crowded
with people this morning. Al 8 O'Clock
Police Captain Campbell and a squad of
twenty police took up their stations in
'front.' Of the house. A large number of
floral emblems were received before the
private services commenced. Two
wreaths OF White roses, lilies-of- the-val-
ley and smilax, were received by Col.
Beecher's wife early in the morning.
These bore the cards OF Ellen Terry and
Henry Irving. Mrs. 8. V. White sent a
pillar of white roses.
The coffin rested in the centre of the
front psrlor and was surrounded with a
bank Of fragrant flowers. The sweet per-
fume of flowers peryaded the air, and on
all sides could be seen floral emblems
from friends and admirers of the dead di-
vine. The remains were dressed in q
suit of black broadcloth, with a frock
coat buttOned up and the right hand laid
across the breast. The features were
natural, and there was a smile upon the
tace. The long gray hair was brushed
back over the ears the same as Mr..
Beecher wore it while alive.
MRS. BEECHER's FAREWELL.
Early in the morning before the SER
vices, Mrs. Beecher went into the pallor
and stood by the coffin for some time. She
bent over the remains, and after implant-
ing kiss upon the cold lips was led into
the back room. Promptly at 9:30 O'clock
Rev. Charles III. Hall, OF the Church OF the
Holy Trinity, entered the house. After
short conversation with Maj. Pond, he
entered the front parlor and commenced
to read the burial service from the ritual
of the Episcopal Church. A quartette con-
sisting OF Warrenrath, tenor; 9. Chaplin.
basso: Mrs. Warrenrath, soprano, and
Mrs. Lazar Studweil, contralto, sang
"Jesus, Lover of My Soul," "Beyond
Signing and Weeping" and "COme Holy
SPIRIT" While the services were in
progress in the house, Company g.,
known as the Plymouth company,
of the Thirteenth regiment, was drawn
up in front of the House on HICKS street.
They were dressed in the regulation uni
form, with white gloves, white belts and
white helmets. Capt. William l.. Watson
was in command.
Only the members of the family and a
few intimate friends were present during
the services at the house. The family
were seated in the back parlOr. None of
the family dressed in black. Mrs. Beecher
sat near the remains during the reading
of the service, and by her sides were her
sons and daughters and the members of
the family. She bore up wonderfully dur
ing the whole of the ceremony and was
quite calm.
DIR. HALLS TRIBUTE.
At the conclusion of the services at the
house Rev. DR.. Hall spoke for Is minutes.
He was very much affected and evidently
spoke from his heart. He referred to the
strong friendship that for years had eX-
listed between them and said that the
friendship began in the old slavery days.
Why Mr.. Beecher had entertained for him
(HalO such a strong, answering and
loyal attachment be could not say, but he
could tell wny 1t was that be loved Mr..
Beecher. 1t was because of his great
sincerity, his noble mindedness, his love
for all men, his sincere sympathy for a
friend in trouble and his many beautiful
traits Of personal character.
THE MILITARY GUARD OF HONOR.
The mem bers OF the family then retired
to other rooms, aud the undertaker's as
down the steps and to the bearse, which
stood in the rear Of the Thirteenth regi-
ment. On the coffin was laid pail OF
bright green ferns, Intermingled with
many varieties OF roses. The Plymouth
Company, which had led the van of the
regiment, as it approached the house
formed eight-file front and fol-
lowed the coffin to the rear,
and then took the position of the
guard of honor. As the coffin was brought
out OF the house the bugle ba nd OF the
regiment sounded a solemn dirge. AS
soon as the guard of honor had taken up
iCs position around the hearse the re gi-
ment was formed into twelve file with
arms reversed. The procession then
moved slowly down Clark street until the
hcarse passed the front of
the house. when the men,
bers of the family who desired got in car
riages IN waiting and brought up the rear,
falling in line as the cOrtege moved on,
the drum corps playing a funeral march,
with muffled drums.
AT THE CHURCH.
On arriving at the church the regiment
formed double file front to receive the
caskeb at the Orange street entrance, in
front OF which The hearse drew up. The
casket was carried in the church up the
henTY ELItEh dtslt anu DldCSd on u udlS
in front of the pulpit. The pail was dra wn
back and the sliding top of the cas- ket
was removed, exposing to view the face
of the dead. The guard Of honor took up
its position, and then tue regiment filed
into the church in double file front,
marched up one aisle aud passed in
front OF the colin, breaking ranks and
passing one file on each side and thon
down the other aisle to the street. In the
meantime Gen. EOratiO q. King played
Beethoven's burial march as the body
was borne intoNhe chareh. 1t. is the
same march that was PLAYED at-aae great
composers funeral ISmc fncfe will
be music in the chnrc 81 duringrhe whole
Of the time the body remains there. The
regiment then reformed and marched 20
the arm0ry.
10000 VIEW THE REMAINS.
All the afternoon n long line OF people
passing through the church to view tno
remains continued to increase, and the
rush was SO great to gain admission to
the church that the police could not keep
the line. 1t was therefore found neces-
sary to increase the force OF officers
around the church doors. IL was with
the utmost difficulty that the regular
worshipers could get inside the
edifice. AS tho day advanced
the line OF people extended
until it reached Fulton street, then down
one side OF the next block aud up the
other, with another wing across Henry
H.a1 ..ls